Alabama guitarist and fiddle player Jeff Cook lost his battle with Parkinson’s Disease on Monday. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends at his beach house in Destin, Florida. He was 73. The band posted a statement saying he “was a champion in all he attempted, and he courageously faced his battle with a positive attitude.” Jeff and his cousins, Randy Owen and Teddy Gentry, formed the band over 50 years ago in Fort Payne, Alabama. They’re one of the biggest groups in country music history, selling 80 million albums and charting 33 Number One hits. Jeff was member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Musicians Hall of Fame, the Fiddlers Hall of Fame, and was a Gibson Guitarist of the Year honoree. He’s survived by his wife of 27 years, Lisa. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Jeff and Lisa Cook Foundation, which helps educate and assist people with Parkinson’s.
The CMAs announced that Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, and Miranda Lambert will be opening tonight’s show with a tribute to Loretta Lynn. You may have heard there’s an Alan Jackson tribute too. Carrie is also part of that, and she’ll be joined by Dierks Bentley, Jon Pardi, and Lainey Wilson. The “56th Annual CMA Awards” airs at 8:00 P.M. on ABC.
Devin Dawson revealed he’s been struggling with a voice disorder called Dysphonia for the last 10 months. It’s affected the lower range of his talking and singing voice. He said he’s still recovering and when he’s able to give fans 100%, he will make another record.
Chris Lane is 38
Nick Lachey is 49.
Lou Ferrignois 71.
